From climate change to superbugs, the World Health Organization has laid out 10 big threats to our global health in 2019. And unless these threats get addressed, millions of lives will be in jeopardy. Here's a snapshot of 10 urgent health issues, according to the United Nations' public health agency: Not vaccinating when you can One of the most controversial recent health topics in the US is now an international concern. "Vaccine hesitancy -- the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines -- threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases," WHO said. "Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding disease -- it currently prevents 2-3 million deaths a year, and a further 1.5 million could be avoided if global coverage of vaccinations improved." The health agency cited the recent 30% global increase in cases of measles -- a disease that had been nearly wiped out in some countries. "The reasons for this rise are … [Read more...] about Superbugs and anti-vaxxers make WHO’s list of 10 global health threats
Swine flu pandemic
Tra Vinh reports one death over swine flu
A doctor checks on a patient with the swine flu H1N1 (Illustrative photo: VNA) Tra Vinh, August 9 (VNA) – The Health Department in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on August 9 announced that it has recorded a death caused by the swine flu A/H1N1. The deceased, Nguyen Thanh Hong, 60, was hospitalised at the local Tieu Can general hospital on July 31 over breathing problems. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a common lung disease, high blood pressure, and Cushing's syndrome – a collection of signs and symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cortisol. He was transferred to the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and died five days later. Tests from the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute showed that he was positive for A/H1N1. Cao My Phuong, Director of the Tra Vinh Health Department, said the agency is intensifying measures to prevent the disease from speading. She unveiled that Hong’s house and its surrounding areas have … [Read more...] about Tra Vinh reports one death over swine flu
A/H1N1 influenza causes more deaths in southern region
Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Two more people in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern province of Tay Ninh have reportedly died from the swine flu virus A/H1N1, whose return last June has raised great public concern. On July 18, the health centre of Hoa Thanh district in Tay Ninh province confirmed one of its patients died after contracting the virus. The male patient, a local resident with diabetes, was born in 1970 and died on July 17 after only one week of treatment. The same day, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Tropical Diseases announced that it recorded a second death caused by A/H1N1 influenza. The female patient was 35 years old, who resided in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. The woman was transferred to the hospital on June 17 with a high fever and respiratory failure, and diagnosed with A/H1N1flu. She was 32 weeks pregnant. Doctors carried out an emergency operation on June 19 to save the baby, who was then moved to Tu Du hospital for … [Read more...] about A/H1N1 influenza causes more deaths in southern region
A/H1N1 – one of three most common seasonal flu strains in Vietnam
Vaccination is one of the best preventive measures against flu A/H1N1 (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Swine flu A/H1N1 is one of the three most common seasonal influenza strains in Vietnam, with at least five deaths recorded since the beginning of this year. According to the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, the country reported about 208,800 seasonal flu cases in the first half of this year, with flu B and flu A/H3N2 also common. The return of flu A/H1N1 in June has caused public concern, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and the two southern provinces of Ca Mau and Vinh Long which saw fatalities. In Ho Chi Minh City, two outbreaks of A/H1N1 flu strain occurred at Tu Du hospital and Cho Ray Hospital last month, with 40 patients testing positive for the virus. The A/H1N1 virus causes a respiratory infection with symptoms of a fever, cold, cough, and headache. The virus spreads to the respiratory system, causing other symptoms such as wheezing and … [Read more...] about A/H1N1 – one of three most common seasonal flu strains in Vietnam
Vinh Long: A/H1N1 influenza kills one woman
Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Vinh Long (VNA) – The swine flu virus A/H1N1 has left a female dead in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long after a male patient died at a medical centre in Tran Van Thoi district of Ca Mau province earlier this month. Director of Vinh Long General Hospital Van Cong Minh said that a 56-year-old woman, residing in My Loc commune, Tam Binh district, was admitted to the Tam Binh medical centre on July 2 with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. She was then transferred to Vinh Long General Hospital on July 5 and died the same day. Test results by the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute showed that she was positive for AH1N1 influenza virus. The provincial Department of Health has supported Vinh Long General Hospital and Tam Binh medical centre in preventing the disease. Relevant authorities have enhanced communication work to raise public awareness of the influenza, while preparing sufficient facilities and medicine for treatment. … [Read more...] about Vinh Long: A/H1N1 influenza kills one woman